Summary
- Overwatch 2's upcoming Season 9 will bring significant changes to the game's heroes, including a less powerful version of the Support class' self-healing passive ability for Tank and Damage heroes. This change could drastically shift the game's meta and potentially impact teamplay.
- The developer's apology for announcing this change without proper context suggests that it is part of a larger set of balance changes coming in Season 9. The game's development team is focusing on addressing issues like damage spikiness, the role of DPS in securing kills, and the strength of healing.
- The new healing ability for Tank and Damage heroes could lead to a stronger emphasis on individual playmaking and less reliance on Support teammates. It remains uncertain how much the gameplay will shift, but players can expect noticeable changes from game to game.
The Overwatch 2 game director apologized after announcing controversial new changes coming with the game's next seasonal update. Overwatch 2's Season 9 is expected to launch on February 20th.
Aaron Keller, Overwatch 2's game director, explained that "it was a mistake to talk about this lone change out of context, since its a part of a much bigger set coming to Season 9. Sorry for that, and I look forward to more discussion around S9 balance changes when we drop more details." Keller further detailed that with the Season 9 update, Overwatch 2's development team is trying to focus on facets like "damage spikiness in game, the role of DPS in securing kills, and the strength of healing." While Overwatch 2's surprising change to Tank and Damage heroes will likely play a big part in addressing those topics, it's apparently just one of the multiple changes coming to the game with Season 9.
Some fans have speculated that the Tank and Damage class' new healing ability will allow Overwatch 2's best Support and Tank combos to play more closely, while Damage heroes might be somewhat untethered from needing to rely on their Support teammates' healing abilities. This could lead to a stronger emphasis on individual playmaking rather than Overwatch 2's typical focus on teamfighting. It's still unclear how drastically Overwatch 2's gameplay will shift following the Season 9 update, but it's likely that players will feel a noticeable change from game to game.
It was a mistake to talk about this lone change out of context, since its a part of a much bigger set coming to Season 9. Sorry for that, and I look forward to more discussion around S9 balance changes when we drop more details.
Overwatch 2's Season 9 will bring other changes as well, like a new Competitive division, the return of placement matches, Emerald Weapons, and more. While Overwatch 2 will receive some major additions on Season 9's expected release date of February 20th, fans might not have to wait that long for some other interesting updates.
An Overwatch 2 developer recently shared his plans for future balance changes regarding Mauga and Orisa, two Tanks who have struggled to find a fair place within the meta recently. He explained that Mauga may be made into a more aggressive Tank, while Orisa might see changes to her power budget. It's not yet clear when exactly these changes will be implemented.
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OVERWATCH®, A FUTURE WORTH FIGHTING FOR! Overwatch® is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future.
Overwatch® is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based hero shooter game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 or 6v6 battlefield brawl featuring new heroes and maps, different ways to play, and unique cosmetics! Lead the charge, ambush your enemies, or aid your allies as one of Overwatch’s 40+ distinct heroes. Team up with friends, take them into battle across 25+ futuristic maps inspired by real-world locations, and master multiple unique game modes.
Reign of Talon - Season 1: Conquest
The Next Big Story Begins
The world shifts as 2026 begins a year-long narrative arc where Overwatch and Talon face off in the fight for the future, joined by five new Heroes at once. Step into the story and shape what comes next!
After ten years, Season 1 opens the first chapter of Overwatch's next big story, where your choices will put you right into the fight for the future!
For the first time, five new Heroes hit the roster together, bringing new playstyles, new dynamics, and new voices into the fray all at once. Jet Pack Cat, Anran, Domina, Emre, and Mizuki arrive just in time for Reign of Talon: Conquest, launching a year-long narrative where conflict takes center stage and you contribute to how it unfolds.
Choose where you stand as Overwatch and Talon collide in a faction-driven event with outcomes that will leave visible marks on the world and your legacy. Along the way, Competitive gets a refresh and Core gameplay evolves, changing how things feel across the board.
This season sets a fresh tone for how the Overwatch story is told and how you play it.
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